Users can also control everything through Siri or via the car's touchscreen, knobs and buttons.

Design tweaks

Flat circles are in and skeuomorphic boxes are out, according to Apple's iOS design tweaks. The look and feel of iOS 7.1 makes such alterations to the call and power-off screens.

iOS 7 vs iOS 7.1 call screen has changed

The answer and end button are now green and red circles. These smaller but more fashionable pair match the caller's round photo icon.

The same treatment was given to the revised power off slide bar. Holding down the sleep button brings up a new white and red button, replacing the ugly reddish-orange bar.

Siri and Touch ID

Siri is easier to operate in iOS 7.1. Before, Apple's personal assistant would often cut you off mid-sentence, complicating it as a hands-free solution.

Now, holding down the home button manually controls Siri so that you can drone on and on without having her interrupting your bloviating commands.

Overall minor changes until iOS 8

Apple's release notes indicate also that its Touch ID fingerprint recognition system has improved with iOS 7.1. Users have previously complained that the scanner forgets their fingerprints.

The Camera and Calendar apps are the final tweaks Apple is highlighting in iOS 7.1. The iPhone 5S automatically enables HDR photos through the Camera app, while Calendar brings the much-needed ability to view events by month.

All of these upgrades aren't significant and few iPhone users can take advantage of CarPlay, but today's minor update is a step in the right direction as we await bigger changes for iOS 8 this fall.